PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
				  MEETING MINUTES

				 February 12, 2003



A special meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners' Personnel Committee was held on
Wednesday, February 12, 2003 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Chairperson Dale called the meeting to order at 11:15 a.m. with a quorum present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Rita Dale, Chairperson, Ted Postula, and Earl Kay

MEMBERS ABSENT:	None

OTHERS PRESENT:	Tim Dolehanty, County Controller, Susan Cameron, Staff Representative,
		AFSCME Council #25, Barbara Fortin, President, AFSCME Local 1552, 
		one department head, Employee 304, and one other

Additions / Deletions to the Agenda
Chairperson Dale called for additions or deletions to the agenda.

It was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner Postula, to approve the agenda as
presented.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

Public Comments
Chairperson Dale called for pubic comments.  No public comments were offered.

Agenda Items: AFSCME Step 3 Grievance
County Controller Tim Dolehanty offered a brief review of discussion from the February 6 meeting.  He
stated it would be appropriate for the Committee to begin its deliberation on the grievance.

Commissioner Kay stated he was terribly disappointed in what he learned from the written and spoken
comments regarding this case.  He stated the incident was an embarrassment to the County and that he would 
not tolerate this sort of conduct from employees in his private business. He said his disappointment was
directed toward the actions of more than one person involved.

Commissioner Postula said he hoped that the employees involved would be able to work together and get
along better from this point forward.

Commissioner Kay stated this conduct could not be permitted in any department, adding that Commissioners
do not typically get involved in these situations.  He suggested that the Controller should address employee 
misconduct at the next department head meeting, encouraging department heads to address such issues at an 
earlier stage.  Commissioner Kay concluded his comments by stating his hope that the matter would end here 
so the employees and department could put the matter behind them.

Chairperson Dale said she was sorry the events of January 17 occurred and observed that the County had no 
choice but to address the matter.

Commissioner Kay estimated the County has lost at least one day of production because of what happened. 
He said this was not good given the current fiscal situation faced by the County.

It was moved by Commissioner Postula, supported by Commissioner Kay, to uphold the suspension
issued on February 5 for reasons cited in the notice of suspension.  On a voice vote, the motion was 
CARRIED.

AFSCME Council 25 Representative Sue Cameron asked for a brief recess to confer with Employee 304 and 
Ms. Fortin.  Chairperson Dale granted Ms. Cameron's request at 11:37 a.m.

Chairperson Dale reconvened the meeting at 11:50 a.m.

Ms. Cameron asked if the meetings of the Personnel Committee could now be declared as closed meetings.
Controller Dolehanty stated the meetings were conducted as open meetings in their entirety and that they 
could not now be declared closed session.  He stated the Open Meetings Act is very specific about how
closed meeting are declared, and that it was impossible for the Committee to turn back the clock and properly
convene a closed session.

Ms. Cameron claimed Employee 304 did not receive proper notice of today's meeting.  The Controller
affirmed that Employee 304, along with all other applicable Union officials, was provided notice of the
meeting by way of first class mail.  AFSCME Local 1552 President Barbara Fortin confirmed receipt of the
notice.

Mr. Dolehanty reminded Ms. Cameron that the employee was provided an opportunity to request a closed
session before any disciplinary action was discussed.  Ms. Cameron responded by stating Employee 304 did
not understand the process.  The Controllers said those rights could not have been made clearer, and that the
rights of the employee were more thoroughly discussed with Employee 304 and AFSCME Local 1552
President Barbara Fortin at the disciplinary meeting of February 5.  Ms. Fortin acknowledged the discussion.

Ms. Cameron confirmed the atmosphere in the Public Defender's office was respectful and professional.  She 
reminded the Committee that the events of January 17 involved two employees.  Ms. Cameron also stated the 
matter would not end today because she would file for arbitration.  She then confirmed the procedure for
filing arbitration.  Controller Dolehanty referenced the section of the collective bargaining agreement that 
addressed arbitration.  He noted that the current contract compels the non-prevailing party to assume the cost 
of the arbitrator. 

Committee Comments
There were no additional committee comments.  

Chairperson's Comments
Chairperson Dale had no additional comments.

Adjourn
It was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner Postula, to adjourn the meeting.  On 
a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

Chairperson Dale declared the meeting adjourned at 12:06 p.m.




__________________________________	__________________________________
Timothy J. Dolehanty, AICP, Recorder			Rita Dale, Committee Chairman